Though the State of Karnataka being largest silk producer of the country accounting for almost 60 percent of total output, the Central Silk Board (CSB) is not happy with its promotion of bivoltine silk.
Country's bivoltine silk production is forecast at 800 tons whereas Karnataka's production is expected at 600 tons in 2005-06.
But preliminary information availble indicates state's output may be go down further to about 500 tons.
Shortage of cocoons seeds, from which the silkworms for rearing are sourced, is the main problem.
Agencies like Department of Sericulture have control over seed supply which is supplied to all licensed seed producers (LSPs) who breed the worms that are purchased by the silkworm rearers.
Karnataka's production is thus, likely to fall while bivoltine silk output from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are expected to exceed their individual set targets.
marketing@alchempro.com
